- ACT techniques
- CBT work
- Emotion skills
About Christian
Christian Maciel is a California LMFT with 25 years of clinical experience working with adults on stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. He speaks English and Spanish and focuses on helping people who feel stuck after life changes or who are coping with difficult emotions tied to relationships and past hurts.
Christian uses several evidence-based approaches to help people identify what matters to them and to practice different ways of responding to painful thoughts and feelings. Sessions often include looking at relationship patterns, managing intense emotions, and building practical skills for everyday life. He also addresses concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, codependency, and communication problems.
People who work with him can expect clear, direct conversation about what is getting in the way of their daily functioning and relationships. He integrates techniques from cognitive behavioral work, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to teach coping strategies and new ways of behaving when stress or overwhelm shows up.
His background includes long-term clinical practice and work with clients facing chronic illness, caregiver stress, body image struggles, and the aftermath of separation or domestic violence. That experience informs how he helps clients set practical goals and try out small changes between sessions.
Christian aims to be straightforward about treatment options and to collaborate with each person on next steps. If you are questioning what comes next after a change in work, relationships, or health, he focuses on helping you notice patterns and take manageable steps toward clearer direction.
How therapeutic approaches translate to remote sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and practicing actions that match those values, even when difficult thoughts and feelings appear. ACT can help when someone is unsure what matters after a life change or feels stuck by their own avoidance. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current reactions and closeness with others. It helps people recognize recurring interaction styles and try new ways of connecting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, then tests and changes unhelpful thinking and routines; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related difficulties.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Christian will discuss different methods with each person and collaboratively decide which fits their goals, needs, and preferences. That process may include trying a method for a few sessions and adjusting based on how it feels and what progress is made.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people practice new skills between sessions in their everyday routines. If you prefer a particular setup, ask about the available formats when you schedule so sessions match your day-to-day life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem problems, and depression, plus related concerns like abandonment and communication problems.
How does he approach someone who feels stuck?
He combines practical exercises and talking sessions to identify unhelpful patterns and try small behavior changes between meetings.
What is his clinical background?
He has 25 years of experience working with adults on emotional and relational concerns and has extensive practice helping people after life changes.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an LMFT licensed in California and practices with a focus on adult clients in that state.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Does he work with international clients?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment work?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.